#146 in United States, #2 in Indiana, #1 in Indianapolis
https://www.helpingpawsonline.com/home
Service areas:
Central Indiana, including Indianapolis and Suburbs
"I have adopted (2) and fostered for Helping Paws. I have also been a small part of the organization volunteering and really enjoyed working with them. Everyone there is committed to seeing the animals happy, healthy and in a safe loving home."
— leta p.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Helping Paws goes above and beyond to support no only the animals in its care, but the fosters who dedicate their time and energy to help animals in need. Helping Paws does not discriminate. They take all breeds, ages, sizes. Additionally, they take on a lot of medical cases who would normally be euthanized if not for them stepping in. Helping Paws also supports other rescues when they have excess supplies and is just trying to make an impact on the animal shelter crisis in the greater Indianapolis area. I am a former adopter, current foster, volunteer, and supporter of the rescue and I am thankful to be apart of a group of people who put so much effort into helping all of the paws that we can."
— sarah s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Where do I start to say how appreciated and wonderful the staff and fosters are at Helping paws INC.I adopted the best dog ever almost 5 yrs ago. They took the time to make sure we were a good fit and seriously wanting to add to our family. Since then I’ve stayed in contact with her foster mom & the rescue center. I now see all of them as my furever 🐾 extended family. They give so much of themselves to help & save all the furry friends in need. So glad I found them & my loving fur baby. Will definitely adopt from them again when the time is right to extend our family."
— kimberly g.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"Easy to work with and provided lots of information through the process of adopting. Didn’t think I could find a small dog through a rescue but got my adorable little Fiona!"
— sandy f.
Adoptee
"I adopted Hans several years ago. The staff was kind very detailed, did a home check, meet and greet with family and pets and assisted with a medical condition Hans had until he was cleared. Caring group"
— beverly j.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"We adopted one of our dogs from Helping Paws. It was a great experience. Unfortunately our little guy was dumped at a local kill shelter in a box along with his siblings. All of them had Parvo. He and his siblings were pulled and cared for in a foster home through Helping Paws. Miraculously all the puppies survived and found homes. Because he was in a foster home he was well cared for and socialized. He was adopted then returned. We then adopted him at about 9 months old and it was a great experience. His transition to his forever home was good because he had been fostered and lived in home. We even got pictures and videos of him as a puppy in his foster home. When you rescue you do not get this many details or pictures and videos of the animal. Rescues like Helping Paws save lives every day. Without their help to pull from high kill shelters, so many more animals would die. Currently there is a crisis with the number of animals that are being dumped in high kill shelters. Very few shelters are truly no kill! Helping Paws is creative in finding ways to fund raise and find generous people to volunteer in so many ways. We need more rescues where the animals are in foster homes."
— teressa b.
Adoptee
"Lee and her team are absolutely incredible!!!"
— rebecca z.
Adoptee
"Love Helping Paws They were very helpful in finding the right dog for me. Pleasant to work with. Pets are very well cared for and they will answer any question I tell everyone about them. All I can say is they are wonderful"
— a b.
Adoptee
"We have adopted from Helping Paws twice! We love them and their rescue. I appreciate that their application process includes references. Once they approve your application they do a home visit to make sure that the pet is a good fit with any other pets and see how they interact with the adopters. I have even checked back with them after our adoptions just to let them know how everything is going. We will support them as much as we can."
— tara h.
Adoptee
"Helping Paws pulls many medical cases from our local high intake city shelter. I have volunteered and adopted from this organization. They support any dog that they have adopted out and support adopters for the lifetime of the animal . They do all they can to help. They even helped me fubdraise for a surgery my dog needed well after adoption. Helping Paws is a Gem in the city of Indianapolis."
— melissa h.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.